Architecture

Supertall skyscraper's octagonal form designed to sculpt the wind

Supertall skyscraper's octagonal form designed to sculpt the wind
The Nanjing Nexus' unusual form is designed to reduce wind loads and optimize the building's solar performance
The Nanjing Nexus' unusual form is designed to reduce wind loads and optimize the building's solar performance
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The Nanjing Nexus will rise to a maximum height of 350 m (1,148 ft)
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The Nanjing Nexus will rise to a maximum height of 350 m (1,148 ft)
The Nanjing Nexus will be located in the southern Chinese city of Nanjing, specifically in a burgeoning district near the Yangtze River
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The Nanjing Nexus will be located in the southern Chinese city of Nanjing, specifically in a burgeoning district near the Yangtze River
The Nanjing Nexus' exterior will feature a patterned glazed facade, as well as significant amounts of greenery
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The Nanjing Nexus' exterior will feature a patterned glazed facade, as well as significant amounts of greenery
The Nanjing Nexus will be topped by a rooftop terrace area with a swimming pool, restaurant, and gardens
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The Nanjing Nexus will be topped by a rooftop terrace area with a swimming pool, restaurant, and gardens
The Nanjing Nexus' unusual form is designed to reduce wind loads and optimize the building's solar performance
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The Nanjing Nexus' unusual form is designed to reduce wind loads and optimize the building's solar performance
View gallery - 5 images

Slated to rise over the city of Nanjing in China, a striking new supertall skyscraper by Büro Ole Scheeren will feature an unusual octagonal form designed to reduce wind loads. The building will also host multiple greenery filled terraces, plus a rooftop terrace area boasting choice views of the city.

The Nanjing Nexus (aka Nanjing Jiangbei New Financial Center) will be located in a burgeoning new district near the Yangtze River and will rise to a height of 350 m (1,148 ft), which makes it a genuine supertall and would place it somewhere around number 75 in the official CTBUH Top 100 worldwide rankings.

The skyscraper will take the rough form of an octagon with some chunks cut out, and will be enlivened by a patterned glazed facade that's meant to sparkle in the light, as well as the greenery and jutting terraced areas. Additionally, the project will involve the construction of a secondary smaller tower nearby that complements the design of the larger building.

The Nanjing Nexus will rise to a maximum height of 350 m (1,148 ft)
The Nanjing Nexus will rise to a maximum height of 350 m (1,148 ft)

"The architectural form of Nanjing Nexus departs from the typical rectangular tower by trimming its shaft into an octagon and carving each facet into a concave bay, harnessing the energy of the context, and embracing the surrounding city," explained the firm. "The concave surfaces of the three-dimensionally textured facade are designed to optimize the building's solar performance and reduce structural wind loads, while reflecting light in reminiscence of the sparkles and ripples of the Yangtze River's waves. Nanjing Nexus presents an elegantly simple, economical, and adaptable design that can be further translated to multiple scales and functions."

Though much of the tower's interior will be given over to office space, it will also include a hotel towards the top. A rooftop terrace area will offer spectacular views over the city, as well as a swimming pool, restaurant and garden areas.

The Nanjing Nexus' design was recently declared the winner of an international architecture competition. We've no word yet on when it's expected to be completed, but this is not Büro Ole Scheeren's first unusual skyscraper rodeo, having recently announced that its Jenga-like tower is going ahead.

Source: Büro Ole Scheeren

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2 comments
2 comments
windykites
The description is a load of architect's waffle. Office space seems to be going out of fashion, as working from home makes a lot more sense.
A tall construction in London focussed the sun's light and caused problems at ground level.
I understand that China has a large amount of empty property. This might become another one if it gets built.
WB
Clearly the wind was in need of being sculpted! All just a load of BS